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The Blew Linnet Natural History...London,1754. $2,200. |
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T.1.45 "The Blew Linnet"
This marvelous engraving was included in Catesby's Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands, one of the most important natural history books ever produced. Catesby's great work was the only attempt to record the natural history of the American colonies during colonial times. It is highly touted as the first natural history of America. The first time Mark Catesby came to the American colonies was in 1712 to visit his sister, wife of the secretary to the Governor of Virginia. The "visit" lasted seven years, during which time his sister provided him with many social and scientific contacts and Catesby indulged his passion for collecting. Catesby's work differed from that of other natural histories in that he drew from living specimens and included foliage backgrounds in his prints. He used folio sized plates which enabled him to depict many birds life-size. The finished work contained 220 plates, each engraved and painted by the Catesby himself. It was so influential that a second edition was published in 1754 and a third in 1771, after Catesby had died. This impression of the Blew Linnet was included in the highly collectable 2nd edition which was hand colored by George Edwards, a talented and published natural historian in his own right. Copper plate engraving with full original hand color.
Full untrimmed sheet measuring 20 3/4 x 14 inches sheet.
Clean and sharp impression, paper somewhat brittle, otherwise excellent original condition.
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